“I hadn’t read that, sir. I find that most intriguing,” said James, feeling for the first time that he wasn’t an oddity in this new life he was living. He had longed for it for so many years, but never thought how lonely it might feel being surrounded by those who didn’t share his interest. It was somehow different from the loneliness he felt growing up. It made sense to him that his parents didn’t share his interests in pirating, but to finally achieve one of his fondest dreams and become a pirate, and learn he had no common ground with other pirates, was disappointing. He was happy at last that it seemed he had found a friend in Blackbeard, or at least that is how it felt to him in that moment, and he hoped they’d have more opportunities like this to get to know each other.

“You’ll soon learn most of our stories are quite the same, James. I’m sure you’ll find all of us are either running away from or running to something, or in your case both. Of course, I wouldn’t bet that many of the other men on the crew have backgrounds such as ours, and I’m almost sure you are the only pirate to bring his own butler aboard.” Blackbeard was clearly amused. “Have the men come up with any names for you, yet? One that you like, that is. I recall charging you with the mission of finding a proper pirate’s name, and here we are almost a year later and I am still calling you James.”

“None of the names the men have come up with sound particularly seaworthy, sir,” said James, making Blackbeard laugh.

“I can imagine,” the captain said, pouring James and himself a libation, and then splashing a bit to the floorboards of his quarters. “May the gods of the sea help you to find your pirate name then, James, and may you be worthy of it,” said Blackbeard. “So what have the men come up with so far?” Blackbeard seemed to be enjoying himself. He was like a friendly king in his domain, enjoying the feast Smee had prepared for them and laughing heartily. It seemed to James that Blackbeard’s quarters were quite kingly, with lanterns swaying overhead, and deep wood furnishings, including a massive mahogany bed. James wondered where Blackbeard had gotten such a bed, with its carved tentacles and enticing mermaids peering coyly at James as he took in the room. The most intriguing aspect was a wooden box that sat atop an ornately carved desk that matched the carvings on the bed. The box was compelling to James, with its mysterious carving of an eye that looked at him in a far less appealing manner than the mermaids.